Evening again, everyone. Have you had a lovely day!
Round here, it started rather dull and damp but by the afternoon the sun was out and it was beautiful.
I spent the morning in the kitchen - well, now and again in the kitchen.
I used lots of odds and ends, soup mix, barley, stock, chicken - oh, all sorts - in the slow cooker to make a very autumny sort of soup, thick and (I hope) filling. One portion for tomorrow and two in the freezer. I them made a couple of loaves. One was my usual seeded wholemeal but to the other I added garlic, sliced olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes and grated cheddar. It is scrummy! Both are sliced now and in the freezer.
I did some housework and some crochet and sorted out my end of month finances so it's all clear for a no spend November now. That doesn't mean buying nothing, it means just buying essentials, paying the usual bills, etc. And if I do see Christmas gifts, I will be getting them as I count that as essential.
It's all those extra things, like yarn!!!!!
I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep as I'm pretty tired and I wish the same for you too. Stay safe and warm, everyone, and see you tomorrow. xx
Evening, everyone. This week (and the end of the month) is going so very quickly. Are you finding that too. It has been another very dull day today but no rain as far as I could see.
Today was a day of changed plans.
First thing this morning, I was rootling in the yarn cupboard and found a forgotten 'work in progress', a granny cardigan I was trying to make that didn't work out well at all so I just gave up and shoved it in the cupboard. However, it was lots of perfectly good squares with all the ends sewn in and I had joined using the join as you go method so it was relatively easy to unpick the joining and release the squares. It was actually quite good fun and I decided I really didn't NEED to go to B&M, etc, and I would rather get this done. So I did and now I have a big pile of squares to consider plus a whole load of white in shortish lengths that will probably be very annoying but it's definitely usable, all the same.
It took ages but all done now and bagged up until I decide what to do with them which won't be until after Christmas now.
This afternoon, I set off for the hall where the group met but - don't all laugh at once - it was last week, not this. As it is a once a month thing, I have three weeks to wait before I can give it a try out. A bit disappointing but I had to laugh.
I decided that, as I didn't go this morning, I could do what I didn't do this morning this afternoon instead. All I wanted really was some wooden spoons, a set of washing up brushes; both spoons and brushes are pretty antique and I knew I could get them at B&M. I could have got them in Wilkinsons too but that's now closed, of course.
I also had a nosey round (not that impressed) but I was thrilled to see that they had H2O Glitterberry and we love Glitterberry for family Christmas occasions. It tends to sell out quickly so I seized the opportunity and stocked up.
So not the day I had expected but useful, all the same.
And I will double check the date of the next Knit and Natter meeting!
I asked Beth and she said I could so here's what she is negotiating this week, having cleared her bedroom. This is the living room and there's more in Alex's room too.
Bless her . . .
Time to start chilling so I will love you and leave you and wish us all a great night's sleep. xx
Good evening again, everyone. It's been another dull and dreary day but it has also been a very pleasant, enjoyable day
The first nice thing was that then next part of the Crochet Along project went live and I'm going to enjoy these rectangles. I haven't started yet because I wanted to get the handwarmers finished first (which I have now).
After watching the video on YouTube, I popped out in the car to go to Home Bargains and HomeSense (which is just next door) and I had such a lovely time wandering around looking at all the Christmas goodies. I got a few groceries in Home Bargains although they didn't have what I went for and another thingy for my Twelve Days of Christmas (some bath soak). I was sorely tempted by other toot but held firm. I didn't hold quite so firm in HomeSense but it was OK - just a few bits of festive china plus one Spode Christmas Tree china. They actually had quite a lot (they'll soon all be gone, they always are) but I don't NEED anything else - if 'need' is the right word. To be fair, I do use the Christmas themed china from the beginning of December all the way to Twelfth Night, so they do get some use, not just on one or two days.
Then I decided that as I was out and sort of in that direction, I would go and do my monthly top up of petrol because there's a Budget tomorrow and what's the betting petrol will go up! I allocate £40 each month to petrol and it was under that this month, despite the drive up to Elveden and back a couple of weeks ago, so that was good.
I took a few photos of the naughty Advent thingy I got from M&S. It does look exciting inside.
The container itself is rather good quality and will definitely be used. I think I will put my Twelfth Night gifts in it after Christmas and then I think I will use it as project storage.
I'm doing another exciting (to me) thing tomorrow as I am going for the first time to a local Knit and Natter group. It's actually run by the couple who organise the coach trips and, in fact, the first trips were run for this group. They quickly became very popular and now, I gather, the mailing list is in the thousands - pretty impressive. Anyway - one of the SW ladies said I might like to come along when she saw the slipover last Friday and, as there's no personal training this week, I thought I'd give it a go.
Well, it is past half past eight and definitely time to shut up shop and start chilling. I hope your day has been as nice as mine has. Take care, everyone, and stay safe. xx
Evening, everyone. It's been a chilly and gloomy old day here but most enjoyable, all the same.
When I checked my diary for today, it said 'Get the Advent of Change calendar'. So I went online and now one is winging it way to me. If you've not heard of this, here's what it is. It's a bit different to other advent calendars in that you, the recipient, do not get anything. Instead, each door you open tells you about a charity a bit of your payment has gone to support so by the end you have donated just a small amount to twenty four charities. OK, there's a slight risk that one of them might be something you wouldn't want to support but I think it is worth taking. Here's the link to the site in case you are interested.
At around half nine, Diane arrived and we drove into town, first to have a coffee and a good chat in John Lewis and then to hit the shops - Diane's going on another Christmas cruise this December and needs a few more things for it and I was also looking for a few things. I wanted to look for a body warmer/gilet type thing and found just what I was looking for min good old M&S. Having decided not to get another advent calendar this year, went a fell hook, line and sinker for the M&S one that is available to buy if you spend more than a certain amount. Not cheap but actually rather good value and - well, ooops!!
Diane found several things she was looking for so all in all it was a very successful morning.
The we came back home and she stayed for lunch before leaving. Then I got the rest of my ironing finished, did a bit of housework, baking, etc, done and finally settled in my chair to get on with my crocheting.
Now I am just waiting to be called for the regular Monday online chat so I need to get this posted. I hope your day has been as enjoyable as mine. Take care, everyone, and stay warm and safe. xx
The day started with some glorious autumnal sunshine and finished with the same - it was a beautiful day. Not warm, not cold, filled with sunshine.
First of all - I think I've got it. I changed the last round to dc with three dc in the corner spaces and 'joining as you go' to join the two granny thingies.
I am now happy with the length of the cuff too.
Apologies for the wrinkly hands - I just am a wrinkly now, however much I would like to ignore it!
I've made the first pair and, really, I am still developing the pattern, but I'm happy with the outcome - happy enough to give them as a gift.
Now I am wondering whether it would work to make the central granny square circle and fasten it to the snood/neck warmer/cowl (take your pick) to create a more obvious link than just the colours. I will just have to give it a go and see.
Beth and Al came round for lunch and it was lovely. Beth was very nice about the slipover and said I ought to make another one two or three squares longer to act as a dress because it really 'showed off my lovely shape' (quote)
Isn't it nice when your daughter approves of your style choices?
After they went, I just settled for some knitting while I watched the Strictly results. It has now got to the point where I don't want anyone else to leave but, like anyone else, I have my favourite. I remember gunning for Bill Bailey on a FB group when everyone else was knocking him and look what happened!!
I doubt the same will happen to Diane and Chris but they are my total favourites, partly because I think Chris is just amazing in all ways and partly because Diane must be such a gifted teacher. And I love that Chris is ready to take Craig on . . .
Well, that's about it for today. This time next week, Alex will be here but for now I have quite a free week ahead - lots of time to get on with my crafting. |How good is that?
Good night everyone. I hope your day has been as lovely as mine. Sleep well. xx
Hi, everyone. How has it been round your way. Round here it has been pretty dull and dismal all day but the heavier rain held off until more or less midday and there was a window of dry weather which coincided beautifully with our SW Golden Oldies walk.
It was a lovely walk too. Six of us and we didn't stop talking the whole way. If the sun had been shining, it would have been gloriously colourful and even in the dullness, the autumn leaves were bright and cheering. The coffee shop must have got a new kind of coffee in because it was delicious! Happy me!
I got a message from Beth - Ray can't start her decorating for a week instead of starting this coming Monday so Alex won't be staying over this coming week but the following one instead. It's not a problem really, none of the extra stuff I got will spoil. However, poor Beth was all ready so the living room is packed with stuff in boxes from her room. Oh, well, I suppose that means next weekend won't be too busy for her. And they're still coming over tomorrow for lunch.
I was looking on the Hobbycraft website to see if they had any sparkly green yarn. No, not that I could see but somehow I got myself booked in for one of their workshops - Granny Square Christmas Bauble Workshop on Wednesday. Funny how that happened. No, it's not strictly speaking essential but I will come away with yarns, a crochet hook (not that I need one but, you know . . .) some mini bells, ribbon, etc., as well as the bauble that I have made. And I think it should be fun.
Internet shopping is just too easy, isn't it?
As Alex isn't now staying, suddenly I had quite an easy afternoon and evening. No need to make breads, sort out the room - although it will need to be done, of course - or make a meal plan for the week that will accomodate his likes and dislikes. So I settled down and . . .
. . . made the first pair.
They're not perfect and I need to refine the pattern - I know my tension is pretty good but they came out very wide. I know what I want to do and must knock up a practise one, just to check that my ideas work.
I doubled the length of the cuffs (and narrowed them too) and they are still a bit too short. I could just pick up stitches and rib the cuffs. Another thing to try out, maybe.
But they are definitely wearable if you have a wider hand, they look nicer in real life than they do in the photo and will look better once they have had a light pressing.
And I have until the middle of December to get three pairs finished so no problems at all.
I did enjoy Strictly this evening, did you. I love the specials with all the character dances and costumes, etc.
Time to get this posted but before I do I just need to apologise that I have neglected all the blogs I usually read and comment on. I've just not got back into the swing of it after the holiday and I will do the necessary tomorrow.
Night, everyone. Sleep well and make the most of that extra hour, OK?
Good evening, one and all. Here we are at the end of the conventional working week and schools are out for half term. Actually, they were pretty much out all day judging by the number of youngsters around; I know my school had INSET today for starters.
This morning was the first Slimming World group with our new consultant, Heidi (for me - she started last week but I was still away, of course). There's going to be a certain amount of adjusting to someone else's way of organising things and I had to ask where things were a few times but overall it was a good group and I got my free magazine which was really nice. What else was nice was that I am half pound lighter than I was at my last weigh in a fortnight ago - that made me very happy!
I wore the slipover and people said nice things about it, bless them.
After that was done, I came home, had breakfast, and went shopping. First of all it was to Hobbycraft and before you all shout at me, here's why. The neck warmer/cowl thingy I am making for the girls is in an aran fair isle style yarn. The hand warmers need DK yarn - I tried using the Aran but it just didn't work either in size or in pattern. So I thought I would see if I could match up the three colours in DK yarns and I got very close, close enough that they really do go together.
I was hoping to show you the first finished one with a photo but I haven't quite finished it, I need to finish the cuff. I think it looks nice though. And yes (you can shout now), I picked up other colours too, including some sparkly red and gold for the baubles. I do have ideas . . .
Then I drove to M&S and Aldi to do the food shopping. As Alex is staying with me next week (more about that in another post), I needed more than usual and oh, my goodness, didn't it make a difference!!
By the time I was home and had put everything away and had lunch, I was halfway through the afternoon so I just sat and chilled.
And I am still chilling . . . chilling is good. It's probably time to get myself up to bed before I fall asleep on the keybo-sekldfjdfklgjfdsklgvskl;vjsdfijasdmbflb,bszkdhaskj
Evening, everyone! It has been another glorious day, a two loads dried on the line day. Wonderful!
Actually, it didn't start that great. I tried to join Lindsey's call for the SET class. First of all the web cam refused to work, then the sounds went. Finally, the picture froze and my internet went down. It came back up but by that time there wasn't much point joining.
Chris' husband isn't well so Chris said no chat today - she didn't want to spread any lurgies which I completely agreed with. This morning she sent a message saying 'how about an online chat'. I really don't know why we didn't think of that earlier; goodness knows, we have had enough of them in the past!! By then, my connection was up again so I send a call and we had a really good old natter.
I think my holiday vibe has now disappeared. I tidied up my sock box - I have WAY too many socks!! I got the first load of washing out on the line and started the second load.
Then I did some more crochet and finished the granny square tank top. It doesn't look amazing in the photo but on me it looks nice (with a polo neck underneath) and, given that I wasn't working from a pattern, I am quite chuffed with it.
I also finished this week's rectangles for the Christmas project.
I think I was very good because instead of starting another thing, I got out the ironing board and not only did the outstanding ironing, I also did today's lot too.
Then and only then did I get on with my knitting. :-)
Can you see my halo?
I rather fancy having a go at these hand warmers next, not in those colours though. I'm going to give them a go and, if they work, I can make some for The Girls for our Santa evening in December to go with the snoods I am knitting. I think I'll make the cuffs a bit longer though.
I found it on Readly but the pattern is from Woman's Weekly. I had to do a screen shot and I don't think the instructions are that clear but I'll post them below and fingers crossed.
Hoping you have all had the best day. Sleep well, stay safe and keep warm. xx
Evening, everyone. We were supposed to have fog this morning but, obviously, it decided to go elsewhere. So this morning was like the rest of today - another gorgeously sunny autumnal day.
I had to be at the dentist this morning - nothing drastic, just a consultation regarding an implant where the tooth used to me. I now have a date in the New Year for the procedure to be done so I am pleased about that.
The rest of the day was spent doing housework and crafting plus a trip to Shimmy Studio for personal training. It was good.
I found this freebie pattern on Love Crafts this morning - I just HAVE to make a few and, once I have mastered the basic pattern, one could embellish it in lots of different ways. It will make a lovely little extra to pop into friends' gift bags at Christmas.
Evening, everyone. It had been a simply gorgeous autumn day round here. Sunny and not exactly warm but not cold either. Just really pleasant. Tomorrow, apparently, is going to be quite foggy for a while before the sun breaks through. We will see.
I got my act together today, left my holiday zone behind and sorted out downstairs so it is now acceptably clean and tidy again. It does feel good when it's all done, doesn't it? Didn't do the ironing though - I shoved that in the ironing basket and it is top of tomorrow's list of Things To Do. I just wasn't in the ironing zone today.
Chris and I enjoyed our walk down to Groove in the sunshine. It is the last one of this block; next week is a break and then the new block starts leading up to Christmas. It was lots of fun as always.
Sharon was a little bit late because of traffic but she sorted out my one beauty so I am all neat and tidy again. Once she went, that was the end of work time and I settled down with my knitting and crochet (not at the same time, mind you!).
I've sewn all the ends in for my granny square top and not I'm doing a sort of rib effect stitch round the bottom. I think the same stitch will do for the next and armholes but it might be a case of such it and see. I don't expect to get it right first time.
I watched Anita's week four video - not the circular ones yet, they must be next week, week five, and the joining and edging has to be week six. This weeks are simple and, at last, I have 'got' the border and don't have to keep checking the pattern. Phew.
Barbara asked about free patterns. I'll start with the very extensive Love Crafts site and here's the link to the start of the free crochet patterns pages - there are 6,302 of them so thank goodness there are choices you can make using the boxes on the left hand side. If you go back to the Home Page, there is also a link to free knitting patterns (10,823 of them!!!) and, again, you can refine your search. They all seem to be in the form of downloadable PDFs.
At the moment my head is buzzing with things I want to make and I am going to have to be very sensible and prioritise. Don't want to have too many WIPs at the same time. It's weird how it all clicks on as the days get shorter and the evenings get darker. I love how it keeps my hand/eye/brain coordination going, keeps me interested and engage and is very productive.
Evening, everyone. Sorry this is a bit late but better late than never. It was the group live chat this evening and it was really good but I've not long left it.
Thank you for all the kind messages. I'm pretty much 100% again now; I think circuits did me the world of good.
I really should have done housework and ironing, etc but did I? Not a chance. I got on with my knitting (Christmas gifts) and my crochet instead.
Do I feel guilty - not a chance. I'm really so enjoying being able to do my own thing in my own time and I'm making the most of it.
I'm getting on nicely with the granny square tank top - I'm going to look very seventies in it, very retro, I fear, but extra layers are always a Good Thing as winter approaches - I am so glad I have the thermal stuff from last winter's cruise as I do feel the cold but layering up works wonders.
The next part of the crochet along project goes live tomorrow but I will have to desist until the afternoon. First of all it is Groove and at 1:30, the lovely Sharon is coming to chop my locks (not that they need much more than a quick tidy up) and I really do need to sort out downstairs before she arrives. But I still don't regret today's self indulgence, not at all. :-)
Today was kind of spendy again - my printer is saying it is short of ink and I don't have any replacements so I fired off an order which should arrive tomorrow. I want to print off some online patterns but that can wait until the inks arrive. It's not as if I have nothing on the go already!!
How was your Monday? Really good, I hope. Take care, stay warm and sleep well. xx
Hi, everyone. Sunday evening and I have done very little all day, just chilling, knitting, crochet, watching telly and all that stuff. I'm feeling loads better now and it's real feeling better because the painkillers will have worn off several hours ago.
I'm just hoping for a good night's sleep now because it wasn't the best last night.
Wishing you a good night's sleep too - take care and stay warm and snuggly. xx
Evening, everyone. Hope you have had a good day despite any wet weather (it's been on and off damp here).
First of all, a big thank you to the person who commented about no Premier Inn in Sudbury but recommended The Cabin. I looked it up and it looks really great. I expect I will be contacting the owners pretty soon. I'm very grateful for the recommendation. Sorry, it was an anonymous comment so I don't know your name.
The concert performance of Chess yesterday evening was really very good for a small local amateur music and drama group. I had a most enjoyable time with some Slimming World friends and I hope this evening went as well for them. I had no idea Mark had such a good voice and Sheridan was in the chorus - both are part of our SW group.
On to today.
I've finished the waffle stitch blanket. Goodness, you can really tell the difference in the dye lot, can't you, but it really doesn't matter at all. It is lovely and soft and cosy and I can't decide whether to spread it over my duvet or keep it downstairs as an evening snuggle thing. I could, of course, do both, couldn't I?
I'm up to date with my Christmas gift crochet along project - the next part of the pattern will be live at nine o'clock Tuesday morning. I think it will be the last of the rectangles and weeks five and six will be joining and doing the border - I could be wrong there though.
I'm working on a granny square tank top and last week saw a pattern for a cardigan based to two granny hexagons which looked really nice - and I have the yarn.
I'm not starting the Persian Tiles project until December but I have treated myself to some fair isle effect yarn to make a neck warmer thingy - I think it is called a 'snood' - is that right? I might start that tomorrow - it's just rib top and bottom and stocking stitch between and I just need to work out how many stitches. I'm sure there's a free pattern somewhere online that will indicate . . .
So I am not short of projects to keep my hands busy and my brain occupied in these dark evenings.
I've made the smaller Christmas cake plus two diddy little individual ones. Yes, the house smells amazing and I can't go to bed yet because it needs to cool completely before I feed and wrap it. I'm giving it a little while longer but it was almost cool when I last checked.. Now I have to decide how I want to ice it.
And finally, I've had both my vaccines! Yay! One in each arm so they're both a bit achey but not enough to stop me working on my crochet. I am feeling a bit shivery and not 100% but pain killers should sort that one out, hopefully.
What I haven't done though is any ironing and the second load of washing. That can wait until tomorrow - it isn't the end of the world, is it?
Oh, I nearly forgot - I had a most unexpected letter from my car insurance company telling me they had overcharged me at some point in 2022 (I think) and that they would be refunding me - and the amount, plus compensatory interest, minus tax comes to nearly £156. Blimey! That almost makes up for losing the winter fuel payment, doesn't it?
(I'm still doing a No Spend November though)
Well, time to go and check the cake. I really hope it is cold - I'm more than ready for bed.
Hi, everyone. Here I am, back home, done one load of washing, done some shopping, made my second coffee, unpacked and half put away, surveyed the broad beans with satisfaction (not ready to pick yet but growing - see below) and started something exciting (I think it is exciting).
Yesterday was crash out day - you know what I mean, the one day in a holiday when you feel totally shattered. It didn't help that I woke at half past three - yes, THREE - bright eyed, bushy tailed and unable to get back to sleep. So annoying!
Come evening, I was so glad we were just staying in and having leftovers. I couldn't even finish one of those 500ml bottles of fruit cider, something I really love.
I did manage to catch a bit of the Goose Patrol on my camera although I missed the start. I think it has come out as a 'short'.
This morning was just gorgeous. Really sunny and with that lovely misty effect as dew evaporates in the sunshine. I didn't catch that but this is the view out the back of our lodge.
We had to be out by ten and I was, bang on. Beth and Alex had left earlier because Al wanted a last swim before they drove home. I have to say, taking both cars made things much easier.
It was such a good drive home. I think it would probably be quicker if I went A13, Newmarket, M11, etc, but5 I think the way I go is so much nicer and, anyway, there's no way I would voluntarily try to9 negotiate the roundabouts around Stansted. It used to be so easy when Stansted was a little, local, friendly airport but not nowadays.
I go on the B1106 from Elveden to Bury St Edmunds, through the centre of Bury (very easy and past all the lovely, historical stuff), through Sudbury which may have some bottlenecks and heavy traffic but, oh, those buildings. I wish I could have stopped and taken a few photos.
In fact - as a side note, I might spend a weekend there at some point. I bet there's a Premier Inn or something similar not too far away.
Anyway, through SUdbury, through Halstead, round Braintree and I'm almost home.
Easy peasy.
When I got home, I unpacked - as you do - made a strong coffee (didn't have one before the journey), put a load of washing in and grabbed my shopping list.
Now the washing is done, the shopping is away and I am writing this before going up for a bath and to get changed as I am out this evening to see a local concert performance of Chess with some of my SW friends.
Here they are - some of the Autumn broad beans. They're growing quite slow as I expected they would but they are podding, filling out and looking so very healthy. I reckon picking in November which is when the packet said.
I hadn't cleared the tomatoes in the bed, just those in pots, and I am so glad I hadn't because I came home to be greeted by more ready to pick. So I have.
I wasn't going to make a Christmas cake this year but, when I came to it, this is not just a cake.
Ever since I took over making The Cake from Mum, I have made it on October 19th, tomorrow, Mum's birthday and I just couldn't NOT make one this year.
What I have done is weighed out half amounts and will make a smaller cake and, if there's any mix left over, I have some really small, individual sponge cake sized tins to make the kind of cake you get in an afternoon tea and I can make some mini cakes to ice and give as gifts.
So here's the mix. I use the Delia recipe but I add cranberries, soak the fruit in cointreau and will add grated orange zest when I mix it all up tomorrow.
I am so glad I'm making one after all. It's just a tradition that makes me happy and helps me to remember my lovely Mum. Mum's Christmas Cake Day. Tomorrow.
Right, better get this posted. Tomorrow is cake day but I also have my covid and flu jabs. Not so 3xciting and I have thye paracetamol ready - hopefully i8t won;'t be needed but better safe than sorry.
Hoping your day has been lovely. Stay safe, everyone. xx
Morning, everyone. It's a wet old start to Thursday and my internet connection is dire. It keeps dropping and then coming back. Most annoying. One of the very few things Center Parcs does not do well!
Yesterday was great. It started damp but the sun came out after a while and it was quite mild too. We had a casual morning - Beth was quite weary so Al and I wandered around the village centre for a while, looking in the shops. I found a few things for our Girls' Chat Santa which was good, and there's a decoration I want to go back and take a second look at. No fridge magnets, as far as I could see. Odd - they used to be drowning in them in past years.
In the afternoon, we had booked the electric boats.
There's all sorts of boats for hire - pedaloes, catamaran canoes, electric boats . . .
We love the electric boats because they just glide silently along and are pretty easy to steer too. I filmed some video clips on my mobile and when back at the lodge, I found out how to upload them. Yay, me!!
There's a longer one but I need to ask Beth and Alex for permission first so you might not see that one. Here's a couple of shorter clips and when I get home I'll find out how to stitch them together. I did know - I've forgotten!
After that was over, we headed straight to the pool and had a lovely swim.
Come the evening, we went to Huck's for dinner and made absolute pigs of ourselves. It was delish!
(Photos on my foody blog, link down the side somewhere!!)
Today is the last full day. We plan to take the morning easy - I will probably pack most of my stuff - and then, after a leftovers mark 1 meal, we're out for a swim and then ten pin bowling.
The evening is chilling back at the lodge with a fire and leftovers mark 2 for dinner, after which we really won't have much left.
And tomorrow it's all over. Sad.
How has your week gone. Really well, I hope. Take care and have a great day. xx
Good morning. As usual, I have been up since stupid o'clock and it's still dark and very quiet. I do love my mornings.
I tried to video a tour of the lodge but it was total pants so it's photos!
Our designated parking place. Because it is an adapted lodge, there's parking at the front rather than having to take the cars back to the car park and drive around for ages trying to find a slot that has something close by to help you remember where it is (it's an awfully big car park!).
I wasn't sure if I could park there and asked a nearby cleaning lady who said basically 'no idea but give it a go and see'
Yesterday morning there were 'please move your car' signs on both. Obviously that wasn't right because it was designated parking and Beth should have been OK, it was my car we weren't sure about so we went to the office to check and, as always, they were super-helpful. Yes, it was fine for us both. After a long day, the staff have to go all round 'mopping up' cars that hadn't been returned to the car park, it was dark, they were tired, and they probably didn't see the sign saying it was a designated slot. She took our lodge number and said she would sort it out - and she did.
It will be so good on the last day not to have to trundle off to collect the cars in order to pack.
The path to our lodge - it's the furthest away and on the right lodge.
In through the front door and directly left, there's the excellent wet room. It's really spacious with a good shower.
Next to the wet room is a useful little space where Beth parks the Tiger.
The sitting room areas, one way . . .
. . . and the other. Very comfy chairs. I'm standing just in front of the fireplace to take this photo.
The kitchen area is more roomy than the usual kitchen at CP which is pretty much a galley. It is a good size for a wheelchair and you can see a lower working surface if needed.
And - for the first time - there's empty cupboard space for one's food, etc. It always bugs me how these self catering places don't have an empty cupboard for food - neither of the cottages in Southwold had space and I've not known CP lodges to either - until this one.
A small bathroom with a big bath that takes for ever to fill!
We don't bother.
And my bedroom. It is the adapted one so very roomy.
My bed is the one you can see a bit of at the front. The other is the all singing, all dancing bed that goes up, down, sits you up, lies you down - one wonders if it would make the morning coffee for you if you asked it to!!
It didn't seem 'right' to use that bed.
This is the back. You can just see the patio that has table and chairs plus a bbq stand for those single-use barbies.
Walk down that little path and you get to . . .
. . . this. On a dull day it looks a bit boring but when the sun shines I am sure it is beautiful.
We haven't seen as much of the muntjacs as last year but the water fowl come a-tapping on the window every morning - Canadian geese, pigeons, of course, snipe I think), the usual ducks . . .
Lots of squirrels too.
You're not supposed to feed them but, obviously, people do judging by their behaviour . . .
We have decided that if we come back again (and I bet we will), it's worth the extra fee to request this lodge again. Close to the centre, roomy, comfortable and no issues with Beth's wheelchair. And that parking . . .
I think that for the next four days, the blog will be posted in the mornings because the evenings will look like . . .
this . . .
and/or this.
It's different in the evening when there are others around and the mornings are going to be my quiet space time as both Beth and Alex are later risers and I am definitely not.
So . . . back to yesterday morning.
The living room looked a right tip with everything to put in the car scattered around. I nearly took a photo but I remembered I'd packed the camera so you'll just have to imagine it.
I managed to get to circuits and I'm really glad I did because
1. it was N's last week because her job has changed and she can no longer come and
2. it was really good. Short, sharp bursts of activity, twenty seconds and move on. Great because in just twenty seconds you can really go for it without starting to feel it too much.
The weather, sadly, was shocking. Pouring with rain. I decided I really did not want to get there early and have to wander in the rain so I left in time to get there by around two which is when we could get into the lodge.
A great drive up. A few short hold ups because of road repairs but nothing worse, no heavy traffic, even through Bury St Edmunds, and I got there at about ten to two. And the sun was shining. Yay!
I joined the queue to get to the check in point and, lo and behold, two behind me in the queue was a car I recognised! What are the chances of two cars on the same booking, travelling different routes, getting there absolutely together. So Beth and Alex followed me from car park to lodge; I thought we'd need to go all round the village one way system to get to the lodge but the very helpful check in lady gave me directions to get straight there so I didn't get lost this time (I did last year).
Because of Beth and her tiger (wheelchair), we had an adapted lodge and we're very impressed. I'm sure it isn't perfect but it works for us. I'll do a lodge tour tomorrow when I've taken some photos or, if you're very unlucky, a video, probably as botched as the one I tried to make yesterday.
We had agreed to pack our swimming stuff ready to grab and go so as soon as we'd unpacked and sorted out the food bags, off we went to the pool.
It was, as always, absolutely lovely!
Apologies for the clunky bits in the photo below. I edited out some faces that were recognisable and some of the background also disappeared. For example, the bottom of one of the cabana posts wasn't really broken and the floating barrier was complete, honest!
After swimming, we came back and settled in for a cosy evening.
A really quick video clip - and it should open, I hope. Please let me know if it doesn't.
It moved on to the photos at the top!! A good evening.
One of the bedrooms is adapted and I had that one for no particular reason really. One of the single beds was an adapted bed with all mod cons while the one I am using is just a bed. Very comfortable it is too! I have slept like a log after a combination of a circuits class, a swim and plenty of steps. We won't mention the wine, OK?
And now it's a new day. The skies look rather overcast but the ground is dry so we will just have to see . . . Have a lovely day, everyone. xx
Evening, all. It feels right chilly as I type this but I'm tired and will be off to bed soon so no point turning up the heating really. It does seem to be getting significantly chillier now, doesn't it? It will be so nice to light the log burner in our lodge tomorrow evening.
Today has been busy but pretty much everything is now done and ready with just a few things to finish off tomorrow. I popped round to Beth's this afternoon and now her cases are in my boot. There's very little room in her car because of all the space the wheelchair and hoist takes up.
I've just checked the route (although I do know it by now, really) and my case, etc, is all downstairs by the front door.
I'll keep up these posts as much as ever I can but don't worry if one doesn't appear. It will be because we're out and about.
Good night, everyone. Have you had a pleasant weekend? I do hope so. Sleep well and keep nice and warm. xx
Today didn't have the best start ever, what with oversleeping and not having time to do my usual Facebook stuff and so on, but it wasn't a disaster, life went on, surprisingly!
The coach left nice and early and the journey there was great with no hold ups whatsoever. I've never been to Alexandra Palace and was hugely impressed by the views over London. This one came out quite well, despite the mistiness and lack of sun
The Show was great. So well organised with plenty of places to sit, to get food, enough loos (impressive), and marshals who were friendly and helpful.
We got there early so it wasn't crowded at first but an hour later the place was heaving. There was a great atmosphere, everyone was smiley and seemed happy and it was just lovely to be surrounded by fabric, yarn and all sorts of textile crafting. Loads of people were wearing things they had made themselves and some were seriously impressive.
The first thing as we walked in was a display of some stunningly fantastic quilts. I took a few photos, of course.
Once in the main hall, there was so much to see and do that I started by buying a guide and a coffee and deciding what to do/see as well as finally deciding on what I wanted to look for. I was after another project, some good stitch markers (the ones I have keep falling off), some crochet hooks with comfortable handles, some little embroidery scissors and some ideas for Christmas presents.
This is the project I have chosen - the photo is from the relevant site because I didn't get a decent photo and it isn't what I had had in mind but when I saw it, I was just 'wow'.
It's called Persian Tiles Marrakesh crochet blanket and the kit includes the patterns and all the yarn needed.
It's actually based on a granny square in part with fancy bits added. There's two versions; the same stitches in both but one has a more complicated colourway that the other - guess which I'm doing. 😉
I'm not going to start it yet because I'm in the middle of the Christmas one, but that lasts for six weeks, two of which have now passed, so I reckon this will be a December/January project.
I was sorely tempted by this one which was stunning in real life but it was more expensive. I may end up getting it anyway but not yet, not this year.
This was a kit (no, I didn't) and I took photos all round because I think I can make it at home - granny squares are trending at the moment.
I bought various shades of purple and made two squares while watching Strictly!
There was a sort of catwalk affair with some demos etc. This lady was showing some basic crochet skills plus a few techniques that might be useful. I tried her version of a magic ring but I prefer my way. However, she showed a neat way to decrease and also how to make loops that are fixed and won't pull out - I haven't tried that yet but must have a go while it is still in my mind.
She showcased a book of patterns. If it had been cats, I'd have bought it but it wasn't, it was dogs
I picked up a few free patterns and bought one and I found most of what I was looking for.
They are very cute though.
Here's my final hoard (plus some little embroidery scissors which were still in my bag when I took the photo). The purple yarns are in a neat box that is just perfect to keep things tidy and I will get great use from it. The greens and gold are for Christmas things - I already have red so didn't get any. There's the Persian Tiles kit in the middle with some new hooks, fabric clips and markers and I picked up a shedload of web addresses, etc, too. I could have spent an awful lot more so I'm very happy with what I did get. I think I've turned into my mother - I kept thinking 'But what will I actually DO with it?', just like she used to say to me.
The journey home was not quite as good but could have been loads worse. The most annoying thing was that the junction off the M25 and onto the A12 was closed so the coach had to go a longer way round which added around another twenty minutes or so but not to worry, we were still back before six.
I am beginning to flake out now so I will love you and leave you and get myself up to bed pronto. It's been a really lovely day and if Jan and Ray run another one next year, it'll be a case of 'behind me in the queue'. I might also book a workshop in advance. All the best ones were booked by the time we arrived.
Morning, everyone. I really did intend posting last night but I was so very tired that I fell asleep in my chair, woke at around eight, went up to bed before nine, fell asleep and didn't wake until six thirty this morning. Annoying because I'm out for the day but not to worry! I'm ready now and have a bit of time to post this.
It's the knit and stitch show at the Alexandra Palace, somewhere I have never been so it's going to be great fun. I have allocated myself some pocket money so goodness knows what I will come back with . . . Yes, I have fold up bags in my backpack!
Time to go. Have a lovely day, everyone. See you soon. xx
This is what the BBC said about the weather round here today when I checked this morning.
I think someone got this a teensy bit wrong, don't you?
Judging by comments all over Facebook, it was all over the country,m these hurricane force winds that magically missed Mid Essex - wasn't that lucky!!!
OK, so - today.
You know the feeling when you think you have loads of things to get done? I felt like that today so did myself and Little List and worked through it and you know what? It really wasn't that bad.
I did two loads of washing which is currently draped all over everywhere - I must fold them and sort them out before I stop for the evening. I finished doing Jen's farewell gift for Slimming World tomorrow, wrote a nice little message from us all and got some flowers to give to her alongside another gift. I did my personal card and little 'thank you' gift so that's all ready too. I decided what I am going to make for the taster table at said group and got what I needed. I had a lovely chat with Chris. In town, I looked for bras, was disappointed by M&S (they had loads more online) so now I've got the new size sorted (see line below) I will order some. I finished up in John Lewis where the girl was so helpful and I ended up knowing what my size is now and also paying what feels like an exorbitant amount for one bra (but it's a good one!) - the others I get will be cheaper. I came home, put the bins away again, had lunch, folded any washing that had dried and then I could sit down so I did and got on with the Christmas project.
And that was my day. Phew. Good night, everyone. Sleep well and sweet dreams. xx
Morning, all. Apologies for yesterday's non appearance. I got a bit caught up with crochet through the day (does anyone else do that?) and was out at a governors' meeting in the evening. When I got back, I just couldn't string thoughts together so didn't even try!!
It's been quite a busy day. Chris wasn't able to come to Groove - she had both vaccines yesterday and they were fighting back - so I went on my own and it was really good today. It's always good but sometimes there's an extra sort of buzz.
When I got home, I got stuck into a couple of things I really should have done a while ago and, as it's Governors' meeting tomorrow evening, I was running out of time. One was reading Keeping Children Safe in Education, mandatory reading for everyone at least once a year and we have to declare that we have done so.
The other was the annual Safeguarding training. Again, absolutely essential and ditto
Not the most exciting reading and not terribly happy reading either, but it's done and dusted now. Phew.
That pretty much took the whole day but between times, when I had a coffee, I started the week one blocks of the Gift for Christmas blanket. There are a few tricky bits and some fiddly bits and one bit I keep having to watch on the YouTube video as I keep getting muddled but, generally, it's not that hard. Week two landed in YouTube today so I will watch that through at some point when I have a bit more time. It's an ideal project to take away with me to Center Parcs next week, I think.
This made me happy.
Spot the baby bread bean . . .
Actually, once I started looking, there are several coming along, all very tiny but packed with potential. Very exciting.
I've just looked at the clock - I didn't think it was that late. Better post and shut down.
Borrowed from the site in the colourway I have chosen (Retro). I was too late to the party to get the yarn pack. A shame, because it was great value.
You can, of course, use yarn from your stash but I've been so successful at reducing my stash, I don't have enough of the right kind of colours.
You make six of each rectangle in different colours and each one showcases a different crochet stitch/style. The first one - the one that is already out - is a granny square and an integral bow which looks very clever but is really simple, judging by the demo video. I can't wait to get started and it will be nice to have a small project to take with me to Center Parcs. The waffle stitch blanket is too big to take really and I am expecting to have finished it by the end of this week anyway.
This does NOT mean I won't be looking when I go to the Knit and Stitching thing at the Ally Pally next Saturday, obviously!! As we all know, two projects are better than one, any time of the year! 🤣
I missed circuits but all the parcels I was expecting were delivered so that's good. Not so good was that I wasn't asked to sign for the one I should have been asked to sign for. Oh, well, everything is here now and that is the most important thing.
And now I must get this posted as I will be called for an online chat shortly. Wishing us all a really good evening. xx
Evening, everyone. The weather might not have been amazing today and it is raining right now, but it has been a good day, all the same.
I have found a Christmas project to crochet. It is a 'crochet along' thing with demos for each section on YouTube and a free pattern that comes weekly for six weeks. The first part is out but I need to get the yarn before I can start - hopefully that is coming tomorrow. So that's nice.
Beth and Alex were round for lunch. We talked all things holiday and Al and I sorted out what we want to get (together) for Beth's birthday. It is nothing exciting, it's something Beth wants and we thought we could get her our own little something at Center Parcs as well. I'm glad that's sorted.
I'm not sure if I can get to circuits tomorrow - I have some things arriving, one of which needs to be signed for so it all depends how early I get the time slot for delivery. We will see.
I didn't get out in the garden - it just wasn't really nice enough. Not to worry, it will still be there when the spirit moves.
And that was today. Strictly Results starts in about five minutes - I think it will probably be Toyah. I like her but she was the lowest scorer and her enthusiasm doesn't make up for lack of technique, etc. I could be wrong. I thought it would be her last week and it wasn't. We'll know soon enough.
Right - time to send and shut down. Good night, everyone. Sleep tight and stay safe and warm. xx
Good evening, everyone! It's been another lovely, sunny Autumn day today. I'm loving this short spell of fine weather and tomorrow looks quite promising, albeit not exactly warm.
I thought it was more than a bit ironic that just after I bought the lamb for the christmas dinner, I started getting emails from Kelly's regarding their wonderful Kelly Bronze turkeys which I have bought for years and years. I always used to order it over the half term break and carried that habit on into retirement. They do some delicious turkey sausages and rolled turkey breasts that cut into three or four smaller joints so I may very well invest in a few other bits and bobs - I will go on-site and see what they have and for how much. (They're not cheap!)
Well, today has passed usefully enough. I did the online SET class and felt much better for it. I did the usual wiping down, cooking, etc. Then I sorted out what I now think of as 'animal protein' in the freezer - meat, poultry and fish, wrote down what I had and, to my delight, managed to get it all into one bag. Excellent! The freezer does need a bit of a defrost but it's a bit too warm at present. I scraped some frost off and that will have to do for now.
As I'd promised myself, I did a bit in the garden. Not loads, just a bit at a time. It's a small garden, it won't take long.
I sorted out the tomatoes in pots which were definitely over. The fruits weren't ripening and the leaves were dying. So four plants gone this side . . .
. . . and three gone this side with a pile of rather bedraggled green tomatoes inside on a tray. I can hope and if not, maybe chutney.
I need to wash the pots and sweep where they were standing when all the mud has dried up. Maybe tomorrow morning?.
The runner beans are next for the chop and sorting out the mint in pots.
I cut the lavender right back so that is all sorted and I dead headed. There's not much left of the Japanese anemone flowers now but they have been gorgeous this year. I'll let them die back a bit more before cutting them back to the ground and thinning them out a bit.
When I have done that, I can put the bulbs out.
There's still plenty of colour though.
The dahlias are still looking gorgeous although the confused one round the front is very tatty and messy now and needs seeing to. Again, maybe tomorrow.
It wasn't quite four but the sun was lower in the sky and it was getting a bit chilly so I came in feeling satisfied.
It's Saturday so Strictly evening. Wonder who will get the chop this week seeing as Nick has a bye, poor chap. He does seem to have been plagued by injury and one wasn't even dancing related.
And I am so looking forward to hearing what Chris has to say to Craig this week. That man must have Diane in fits of laughter during rehearsals.
Time to stop and send, I think. Beth and Alex are here tomorrow so I must get a small joint out of the freezer before I forget. And Strictly has just started!
I hope your Saturday has been as peaceful and satisfying as mine has been. Sleep well and sweet dreams. xx
.jpg)
